The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-08-20


most of us at least tried to observe it
appropriately. The Fourth we planned
to spend near the summit. The Cas-
cade division of the r., II. r. has just
been completed. or at any rate enough
SO that through trains run from Ellens-
burg to Tacoma. All travel has here
tofore been Obliged to go around by
Portland. At the time we did not
know that we passed over on the frst
through train. This ioad across the
summit Is called the Switchback. The
road wound around and we were often
surprised to took before us and see
where we had been, and gradually we
approached the snow line. The dis
tance below us Just seemed frightful,
and the valleys more beautiful. Now If
l can, will tell about the switch back.
The ascent il SC perpendicular, and
there seems to be no way Of winding
about, that the road just switches back
and forth - for instance, two engines
(perfect monstersl are attached to the
train. one at each end, and brakeman
is stationed at every brake. The train
moves forward on an ur grade for about
three miles. Then 1t stops, everything
Is reversed, and it is pulled backward
and upward for the same distance; the
process is again repeated and we find
ourselves at the summit, where the
train stops for a few minutes. One OF
our party left the coach and came back
in moment. snow-balling and washing
our faces right and left. The air seems
very cool and fresh. Switchback is
only temporary affair. which will no
longer have use after the tunnel is COM
pleted. That will take us through the
mountain peak instead of over IL. We
went to the east end of the tunnel to a
place called Tunnel City, and although
a man told us we would either have to
stay at saloon or out OF doors. we
stopped there just the same thinking
there might be worse things than sleep
ing under Heavens canopy. We were
all very brave, but ] think we all felt
the outlook a little dubious when we
really saw that there was nothing but
log houses, and every one Of them a
saloon, excepting the engineers house
and the hotel, where we found admit
tance. Such town, built almost at
the mountains summit, In such de-
lightful climate, where nature is SO
grand, and yet such disgusting place.
We did not spend much time In viewing
the city, but found our way to the tun-
mel. Close by the entrance OF the tun-
mel is cascade, falling about one hum
dred feet, which is perfectly. beautiful.
The spray from 1t was like a hard
shower as we entered, but we were pro-
tected with gossamers and rubbers.
We wallowed through what reminded
me very strongly Of gumbo for half a
mile, most of the way it being quite
dark, though at certain distances 1t was
lighted with electric light. There
were about Is or 30 men working in the
dampness and lighted darkness, and I
did not wonder that they became de-
praved staying in such place. 1t
seems reasonable to me that miners
are so wicked class. We watched
them work for some time and it was
very interesting. They drilled with COM
pressed air. saw the machine but
not the air. The rock and dirt was
dumped into small cars and drawn out
by a very small engine. We staid as
long as We could in the dampness and
foul air, and were fortunate enough to
ride out on the engine. The tunnel
when completed will be $3.50 feet long
Work has been carried on from both
ends for year and half ard it will
take a year longer to complete it. The
next on the program was a trip to Lake
Kitchelas, five miles distant, conse-
quently wagon. cayuses and driver
were chartered for the trip. Two OF
our party took the train for Tacoma,
leaving six Of us and the driver to oc-
cupy the wagon. AS might be expected
our driver was considerably intoxicated
and it was OWING to the steadiness and
faithfulness Of the cayuses Eaore than
to his skill that we were not tipped out
good many times. About half way
there q tire came off one of the wheels
and that gave us walk Of mile or 60.
but 1t was cool and pleasant and we en-
joyed it. Some Of the party were quite
happy In finding supply of spruce
gum. but was intent ON spying bears
and cougars. We waded through snow
drifts and tried to think IL was Christ
mas instead Of Fourth Of July. Arriv-
ing Mt the lake we found that the sail
boat had been taken the night before,
so all we had 10 do was To explore the
mill, fish In the outlet and stroll about.
However, 1t was not long before the
boys made a brilliant discovery and We
were to have celebration after all.
Rnmmaging i'm the mill they found
quite quantity of giant powder and
some fuse. They whitfield the lead out
OF the cartridges they had brought TO
shoot bears and cougars with, and fast
ened them to the fuse and powder, and
for some time the hills and valleys re-
sounded with reports Of blown up
stumps. etc. Some Indians who had
stopped near us to rest and feed their
ponies, were frightened and hastened
away with their fingers in their ears.
We started back for the city early, and
1t was very good thing we did, for we
got stuck In snow-drift and had var
ious mishaps, and II it had been dark
we never would have found onr
way. We felt indeed highly compli-
mented that our landlady wished to get
up dance for our benefit. We de-
clined most decidedly. Although we
had enjoyed ourselves to the utmost,